How would you answer this test question? From a 1st grade Common Core test.

[Sancho]

323. You are wrong about students being taught "like this"....

Students at certain ages don't have the cognitive maturity to "develop strategies". That why experienced teachers know that students vary widely in development, talents, and strategies. One size doesn't fit all, and all cannot learn to "model ... and compare situations" in 1st grade. I've seen 5th graders who still struggle with concrete operations sitting next to other kids who are able to tackle algebra. It often depends on natural development, home enrichment, willingness to learn, and alternative instruction (if the teacher has time and materials to reach every kid).

Simply stating a standard, goal, or objective doesn't get you anywhere unless you can actually achieve it!!! What if your goal was "everyone at DU will run a mile in 4 minutes by Jan 1, 2015"? The CC has goals that are just as unrealistic. Many test items reflect those unrealistic standards (at least for many of the kids). They are in the standards, so someone puts it on the test, often in an awkward and poorly written form on top of everything else.

Front line teachers in the trenches KNOW it's not so easy. You get handed curriculums and told standards, but if you actually get in front of 25 kids and try it - half don't get it or react the way they are supposed to or get finished in the time allotted or even care about learning on a given day!

I've seen kids come in every day who don't care about "strategies" because no parent was home last night or they've moved 3 times last year, etc., etc. In my county in Florida, the MAJORITY of kids are not living with their natural pair of parents! Almost 25% don't speak English as a native language. Some schools have 90% living below poverty. The Common Core, just like decades of similar sets of standards, are not a magic bullet. They are fine as something to give general guidance in revising the current curriculum, but CC doesn't address the major issues in the schools today. High stakes tests don't help the teacher or kids at all because of the way they are created and used.

If you have a flat tire you don't go out and spend years discussing why you have a flat and spend $5000 on a really expensive air gauge!!! Buy some tires! Spending MILLIONS on high stakes tests is wasting time and money when everyone in the classroom could make things better in 2 seconds with smaller classes, more teachers, better materials, better support for kids (health care, after school programs, preschool programs, etc., etc.). Instead our own governments make new curriculums, more tests, build charter schools for private profit, and ATTACK teachers every chance they get. It's shameful.